Stay hydrated this summer with your food
Fruits and vegetables are packed with lots of water
Jun 7, 2019, 1:14 am
Theindianspot.com
Beat that summer heat while living in Texas. Did you know there are several fruits and vegetables that are packed with over 90% of water? More water, means less in calories. So, while you are out shopping for groceries this week, be sure to pick up your water friendly fruits and veggies. Add these 5 below to your grocery list and stay hydrated through the summer. And don't forget to make sure to pick up the watermelon, but WITH seeds. There are so many health benefits to watermelon seeds, check them out below.
1) Tomato
2) Lettuce
3) Red Pepper
4) Celery
5) Cucumber
6) Watermelon
Tomato- Between 93-96% water
Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.
Lettuce- 96% water
Romaine lettuce has about 8 calories and 1-2 grams of carbohydrates per cup. Although it's low in fiber, it's high in minerals, such as calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, and potassium. It's naturally low in sodium. Plus, romaine lettuce is packed with vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate.
Calories: 8 calories Fiber: 1 g Total fat: 0.1 g
Red Peppers- 94%water
Serving Size: 1 medium. Calories: 31-37; 169% of the RDA for vitamin C. Red Peppers also contain 3 mg of vitamin B6. Vitamin K1, is a form of vitamin K, known as phylloquinone, K1 is important for blood clotting and bone health. Potassium, is an essential mineral may improve heart health. Folate, or Vitamin B9 has a variety of functions in your body. Adequate folate intake is very important during pregnancy. Red Pepper Amount: 54.7 mcg.
- Protein: 1 gram
- Carbs: 6 grams
- Sugar: 4.2 grams
- Fiber: 2.1 grams
- Fat: 0.3 grams
Celery- 95% water
Celery is very low in calories and carbohydrate. One medium stalk contains a mere 6 calories and 1.2 grams of carbohydrate. Half of the carbohydrate content in celery comes from fiber, making it a good source of fiber. One stalk of celery has a minimal amount of protein, with less than one-third of a gram per serving.
Cucumber- 96-97% water
There are just 16 calories in a cup of cucumber with its peel (15 without). You will get about 4 percent of your daily potassium, 3 percent of your daily fiber and 4 percent of your daily vitamin C. They also provide small amounts of vitamin K, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, manganese and vitamin A.
Last, not least, my favorite...….
Watermelon- 92-94% water
Watermelon is delicious and refreshing, with tons of nutritious seeds. Even though most people spit them out, that is often a big mistake. And don't worry, unlike what you believed as a kid, if you swallow these seeds you will not grow a watermelon in your stomach.
Watermelon seeds come from the watermelon plant, which grows on the vine. The seeds come in two main colors, white and black, which are the immature (white) and fully developed (black) seeds respectively. Both seeds are good for you, however the black ones are more rich in nutrients and antioxidants. So if you have to choose, black seeds over white, or just both, there are hundreds in a watermelon.
Little fun fact that not many know. Watermelon seeds are pack with high levels of protein and amino acids. About 60% of your daily requirements can come from 1 cup of dried watermelon seeds. These seeds also have high levels of Vitamin B, as well as magnesium, zinc, copped, potassium, copper, manganese, and iron. Also, a diverse rang of fats, such as omega 3, omega 6 fatty acids, and smaller saturated fats. The nutrient density also comes along with a high-calorie count – a cup of dried watermelon seeds contains roughly 600 calories.
There are plenty of other health benefits to Watermelons seeds. Another surprisingly fun fact about watermelon seeds is, it's ability to boost hair health (growth, strong, prevent breakage, or split ends), support your skin (moisturize, wrinkles, skin elasticity, acne), increase energy, lower blood pressure, stimulate digestion, regulate blood sugar, and lower cholesterol levels. I am about to blow your mind with more benefits from eating these little black seeds everyone would always spit out. These seeds can also help with growth and development of your body's cells and tissues. Since they are packed with protein, which is composed of amino acids, this helps with the production of these tissues. Last, these seeds can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, growth and repair of various organ systems, boost fertility, increase energy levels, lower blood pressure, and improve nerve system function.
Now if ALL those health benefits don't make you get up to go buy a watermelon, then good luck this summer !
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How Houston Rockets hold the cards for a franchise-changing summer
May 8, 2025, 5:45 pm
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
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